Healing in the nick of time: Elements Massage Therapy - a true story

An injury can throw you for a loop. You can miss work, fun, or just be in pain, which as everyone knows is no fun.

So what do you do if you hurt yourself and have a show counting on you?

This is what happened to me a few months ago, when I was injured by a professional dancer who lifted me and somehow, inadvertently, caused some kind of damage to my back.

I took a week off, using ice and rest. But I could barely walk - never mind dance. Since I had donated my time to perform in a charitable "Dance with the Community Stars" fundraiser in West Essex, I knew I could not just bow out from my commitment.

My doctor sent me for ex-rays and told me he suspected badly bruised ribs or broken ribs to blame. (Forget the bruised ego!)

Turned out that it was bruised ribs, and it really hurt - a lot. With only a few weeks to go before my performance - in front of about 600 people - I decided to go to Elements Massage.

Elements Massage became one of my clients about 8 months ago, and I have been ecstatic getting my monthly massages. I can actually afford them and they make a definite difference for the positive in my life.

Now, I wondered: could one of their massage therapists save me for the dance?

My massage lasted 55 minutes, like always. The trained masseuse told me to let her know when it hurt - and I did so. But somehow - and I don't exactly know how she did it - the pain from my injury was at least 75 percent better by the time I left.

Then, I went back a few days later for a second massage.

To my delight and surprise, I walked out pain free. The next day, I returned to my dance lessons, and got back into my Motown groove.

When I danced that cold night in front of a packed house, the pain in my ribs was the last thing on my mind. The only terror I felt was the fear that I would fall off the stage or forget my steps.

Our little group raised over $20,000 that night.

But I would have not been there if not for the magic fingers of a few professional, trained and dedicated massage therapists.

Though Elements Massage is my client - I can honestly say: this is NOT an ad. This is a true story, and I am forever a true believer in the power of massage.